Bromsgrove Council under fire for removing dog bins

THE NUMBER of dog poo bins across Bromsgrove will be scaled down to declutter and improve the appearance of the district and to save cash, it was announced this week.

Bosses at the district council said those dog poo bins next to litter bins could be removed and dog owners would be urged to use normal litter bins to dispose of mess as it could be mixed with household waste as well as long as it was bagged tightly.

There will be a reduction in maintenance costs and, bosses claim, it lessens the likelihood the bins will become smelly and overflow as litter bins are emptied more frequently than dog bins.

But the move has been criticised by the town’s Labour Group.

Rubery councillor Peter McDonald said he had been contacted by dog walkers in the village who had become concerned with the removal of the bins.

And Labour leader Coun Luke Mallett said “Local residents are already concerned about the levels of dog mess in the district.

“Removing dog mess bins can only make the problem worse.

“The council is out of touch on the concerns of local taxpayers who want the council to do more to tackle anti-social behaviour issues such as dog mess, littering and grafitti - not less.”

“The health risks, particularly to children, of dog mess are significant - the call to put dog mess in open litter bins could add to this.”

A council spokesperson said the authority was always looking for money-saving options and this move was one of those as it cut maintenance costs and encouraged dog-owners to use general waste bins.

“The dog-waste specific bins were often filled with litter which meant the excrement was left on the ground and had to be cleaned up.

“We have removed six bins so far from Bromsgrove, all of which were adjacent to litter bins and we have worked with the parish councils on this and to encourage more people to pick up after their pets.

“Any dog bins still in good condition may be re-used elsewhere, and some dog bins are also being moved short distances to improved locations.

“We have yet to remove any bins from Rubery but have made Coun McDonald aware of future plans to do so and have started to sticker the bins giving the public prior notice.”

For more on the removal, call the council’s waste management team on 01527 881188.